Bloodsport (DVD, 2002)

It is an excellent movie based on the true story about the secret full contact martial arts fighting in Hong Kong called the Kumite. No westerner had ever won this competition until Frank Dux was invited to compete. Amazing true story that includes lessons in courage, dedication, self-discipline, and of course the most elite martial arts skill known.

"Bloodsport" is one of my top rated favorite movies. The movie is an inspiration for athletic achievement. It shows Frank Dux(Jean-Claude Van Damme) being trained by a Japanese Tanaka Shedoshi. It's amazing what Frank accomplishes from honoring his Shedoshi and focusing on his goals. In the movie, Frank Dux is not only a martial artist but has a friendly personality which is why he got a buddy after arriving in Hong Kong and why he got to have dinner with a pretty girl. At the Kumite, Frank is the best fighter there is. Although there are fighters of different sizes and styles, he can do anything that needs to be done to win a fight. The movie brings about the thought that 'anything can be done if you put your mind to it. It's mind over matter.' The music is well composed and put together to match the scenes and the songs written are well suitable for the movie.

great action movie with a little love twist in it too the fight scenes are packed with non stop action. true friendship is evolved between two American fighters in Hong Kong a life long bond. The story of frank dux is a great story. two thumbs way up

Bloodsport (1988) starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bolo Yeung is perhaps one of the most popular and enduring martial arts cult classics ever put to film.

Complete with training montages, travelogue footage, and a musical chase scene replete with 80’s cheese pop – Bloodsport is an eccentric and yet compelling martial arts film. Perhaps this film’s continued success and cultural longevity is due to, rather than in spite of, the unique style, soundtrack, and action.

Bloodsport revolves almost entirely around the character of legendary international kumite fighter, Frank Dux – played by Jean-Claude Van Damme. Invited to participate in a three day, full-contact fighting tournament known as the Kumite, Van Damme decides to compete in order to honour his shidoshi, or teacher.

While Dux’s backstory is quite tenable, the primary reason driving fans toward repeat viewings of the film is the fighting itself. Skillfully choreographed and filmed, fans of martial arts action will have lots to enjoy during the final half of the film – over a dozen fights taking place between combatants representing countries and fighting styles from around the world.

Van Damme in particular shines in this movie – showcasing his martial prowess to its fullest, fighting using various martial arts, though primarily employing karate techniques. His physique is displayed frequently, Van Damme being in perhaps the best shape of his life – further cementing the focus of the film on martial prowess and physical mastery.

Truly, most of the reasons to watch Bloodsport involve the action taking place in the Kumite, a full-contact fighting tournament featuring warriors from all over the world. Showcasing various martial arts combat styles such as Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Sumo, Judo, and others.

Bolo Yeung, a massively muscular and intimidating antagonist in the role of Chong Li, does a superb job while speaking very few lines due to his weak English during filming. At the age of fifty when the film was released in 1988, Bolo Yeung’s stage presence is formidable – Chong Li murders a man on the Kumite platform and severely maims at least three other fighters.

Other notable fighters during the elimination style tournament include Paco (Paulo Tocha) a muay thai martial artist who fights using brutal elbow and knee strikes, Paredes (Michel Qissi) a Latin kickboxer who specializes in roundhouse kicks and punches, and Dux’s impromptu friend Ray Jackson (Donald Gibb) who is a straight-up street fighter.

Bloodsport remains a martial arts classic and a favourite of Jean-Claude Van Damme fans. Those who enjoy classic 1980s action films would do well to check in for a repeat viewing – and for those who haven’t seen it yet, it’s well worth the rather cheap price of admission.

If you are a martial arts film fan and somehow didn't see this one... you missed out. It slipped by many because it got poor ratings. The truth is that it does have some cheesy acting in parts and is not a big budget film but it has become a cult classic in the martial arts field because of its fight scenes. It is a film based on Frank Dukes, a real fighter with an amazing record in full contact. I bought this one because it brought back many memories I had when I was a kid watching this for the first time.

I do suggest this film for the guy in us all. If I had young sons, it would be on the TV for a "man night" with a bowl of popcorn. Enjoy!